Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull unveil major Miami GP upgrade packages

Core summary All three front‑runners arrived in Miami with full‑scale upgrade kits designed to squeeze extra downforce and reduce drag, hoping to dent Mercedes’ three‑race winning streak in the new 2026 regulations. Ferrari brings the most extensive changes, McLaren focuses on a phased aero overhaul, and Red Bull attempts to tame a car that drivers have called unpredictable. Each package reshapes front‑wing geometry, floor layout and rear‑wing mechanics after a month of data‑driven development.

Why it matters:

• Mercedes holds a clear early‑season lead; narrowing that gap is essential for any championship bid.
• The upgrades illustrate how quickly teams can adapt under the radically altered 2026 rule set.
• Aerodynamic gains translate directly into lap‑time improvements on a high‑speed street circuit like Miami.

The details:

• Ferrari
  • Revised front‑wing endplate with new foot‑plate channel and top forward vane; updated front‑deflector edges and rear‑deflector lip to stabilise front‑wheel wake.
  • Reprofiled front‑suspension leg fairings for better load distribution.
  • Floor overhaul: keel‑volume optimisation, added vertical barge‑board‑type elements, re‑shaped leading edge and board stays – all delivering a net load advantage.
  • Rear wing mainplane and flap re‑profiled, central bracket flap added, upwash volumes introduced to maximise straight‑line drag shedding while retaining cornering load.
• McLaren
  • New front‑corner aero elements that work with an updated front wing for smoother overall flow.
  • Engine cover reshaped to provide an aerodynamic load gain and higher efficiency.
  • Side‑pod inlet redesigned to pair with a completely new floor geometry aimed at higher load and lower drag.
  • Revised rear‑corner aero pieces and a fresh rear‑wing layout with updated endplates; further refinements planned for Canada.
• Red Bull
  • Full front‑wing suite (three elements, endplate, dive‑plane) re‑shaped for higher load without sacrificing stability.
  • Front‑wheel ducts re‑engineered to draw high‑pressure air and exit cleanly, boosting efficiency.
  • New floor with modified bib geometry and forward floor structure; side‑pod inlet and mirror supports updated to match.
  • Rear‑wing mechanism altered to allow greater travel on the straights, echoing Ferrari’s “upside‑down” concept; rear‑suspension shrouds and brake‑cooling bodywork subtly tweaked.

What's next:

• Mercedes will run only minor tweaks, leaving the three rivals to test the full impact of their packages over the next two races.
• McLaren’s two‑phase rollout means additional floor and side‑pod work will appear in Canada, potentially delivering a bigger step change.
• Ferrari will monitor load gains across the operating window and may introduce further barge‑board refinements before the European leg.
• Red Bull hopes the revised floor and wing travel will restore predictability to the RB‑19, a key factor for driver confidence heading into the sprint‑race season.